Warning valve for flat tires



May 6, 1941'. M GLOWKA v V 2,241,198

. WARNING VALVE Fon FLAT TIRES Filed Nov, 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Marie-'n Glacafd ATTORNEY May 6, 1941. M. GLQwKA WARNING VALYE FOR F'LAT TIRES y Filed Nov. 2o, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 I Gana/Cd,

Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARNING vsilrl; mr mns' y Martin Glowka, New York, N. Y. Application November 20, 1940, Serial No. 366,334

(ci. 11e-34) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a warning `valve for fiat tires'.

The invention proposes in combination with the inner tube of the tire of a vehicle a mechanism which will whistle when the tire is partially deflated and the vehicle is being driven.

More specically, the invention proposes the provision of a compressible bulb `disposed within the inner tube and mounted in a particular way on a stem which engages through the inner tube, and a novel construction of vthe stem to cause whistling when Ithe bulb is periodically compressed and the vehicle travels.

Still further the invention proposes a novel arrangement for connecting the compressible bulb and stem together.

Still further an arrangement is proposed whereby the said stem is provided with an extra y passage and a tire.valve, so arranged that the inner tube may be inflated through the stem.

Still further the invention contemplates various forms for the compression bulb.

Another object of the invention resides in a modication in which the compressible bulb is associated with valves inl a certain way so that it may receive the same air utilized lto blow up the inner tube, andthis air is controlled to soundn the whistle in the event that the tire is partially nat. vI

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and rto the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material partof this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of al vehicle with a tire having an inner tube constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the inner tube with the warning valve constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar -to Fig. 2 but illustrating another form of the invention. V.

Fig. 5 is another sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating still another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is still another sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating another modification thereof.`

The warning valve for fiat tiresl in accordance with 4this invention, is used in combination with the inner tube I0 of the tire II of a vehicle I2. A compressible bulb I3 is disposed within the inner tube I0. A stem I4 engages through an opening I5 in the inner wall of the said inner tube and through`- an opening I6 in said bulb I3. The stem I4 is provided with a head I1 on its inner end which is disposed within .the bulb I3. A base clamp element I8 is mounted on the stem I4 outside the bulb I3 and engages over the edge portions of the said opening I6 in said bulb I3 and is cooperative with the head I'I of the stem for'supporting the bulb I3 on the inner end of the stem, More specifically, the stem I4 is exteriorly threaded. The base clamp element I'i is interiorly threadedand -threadedly engaged on the threads of the stein I4.

An outer clamp element I9 is disposed onthe stern I4 on the outside of the inner tube I0 and engages over the edge portions of the opening I5 in the tube I0 and is cooperative with the base clamp element I8 for support-ing the stem |4 on 'the tube I0. The outer clamp element I9 is provided with an opening by which it is slipped on the stem i4. A nut 20 is threadedly engaged on the stem I4 and abuts the outer clampele- T ment I9 for holding it in position.

The stem I4 is provided with a passage 2| from its inner end to its extended end portion. This passage has a discharge section 22 fashioned to whistle when said bulb Il is periodically compressed When the tire I I is partially deflated and the vehicle I2 is traveling. The stem I4 is provided with another passage 24 extended inwards from its outer end and controlled with the usual tire valve 25. The stem I4 has a reduced outer Y lend portion I4* which is externally threaded for receiving the usual tire valve cap, not illustrated on the drawings.

The passage 24 communicates with several radial passages 26 formedin the material oi the stem I4 at the inner end of the passage 24. These passages 28 are adapted to align with the enlarged inner ends of certain of a plurality of passages' 21 formed in the base clamp element I8. This base clamp element I8 is constructed of two sections,.a top section- I8* and a. bottom section Il". These sections are riveted or welded together. The adjacent faces of these sections are formed with the grooves 21 comprising a passage for air. A` heavy spring 36 is disposed within the compressible bulb i3 to normally hold it in an expanded position.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: Y f

The tire II may be iniated by placing the usual air supply line against the portion I4 of the stem I4. The a-ir pressure will open .the valve 25 and enter the passage 24, the passages 26 and 21, and discharge'interiorly of the inner tube I0, inflating the tire II, If, during the operation of the vehicle I2 the tire II becomes sufciently deflated that the bulb I3 will be compressed each time it reaches-a bottom position a plurality of stiening ribs 23 rendering the Walls of the bulb suiiciently strong to withhold the collapsing tendency of the compressed air within the inner tube I0. With this arrangement .a relatively small spring 30' is merely necessary to extend the bulb I3 in a radial direction relative to the tire II. In this form of the invention the base clamp I8 is of a slightly diierent shape than that previously described for better coaction with the head IIl and the outer clamp I9 to hold the stem I4 in position. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous vform and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

In Fig. 5 another form of the invention is disclosed which is similar to the form shown in Fig.

. 4 distinguishing merely in the construction of the compressible bulb I3. In this form of the invention the bulb I3 is of elongated shape. It has end portions 28 extending in opposite directions from the central portion 29. These end portions are expanded by a leaf spring 30 mounted in each end portion thereof. Helical springs 3l are mounted between the ends of the leaf springs 30 to assist in keeping these end portions expanded. The leaf springs 30 are of C-shape as shown on the drawing. The stem I4' in this form of the invention is also provided with an auxiliary discharge end 22. This is in addition to the-whistle passage opening 22. This construction produces a whistle of a diierent sound. The discharged air will simultaneously pass through the passage 22 and 22' during the whistling operation.

In Fig. 6 still another form of the invention has been disclosed in which the warning valve has a stem portion I4" cooperative vWith a bulb I3 provided with a spring 30 as previously described. The stem I4" is also cooperative with the base clamp plate I8', the outer clamp plate I9, and the nut 20. 'I'he passage 24 has a bottomA branch portion 24a discharging into the bulb I3. However, this branch portion 24a is closed with a check valve 33. The valve 33- is connected with a spring 34 mountedon a pin 35. The spring 34 normally urges the valve 33 closed. However, when a tire is being inated, air will pass from the passage 24 through the passages 26 and 21 to iniiate the inner tube I0 and some of the air will force the valve 33 open and enter the compressible bulb I3 so that the internal pressure in the bulb will be the same as the internal pressure in thetube I0.

The passage 2I' is provided with a spring loaded valve 36. This valve is connected with a stem 31 which-extends upwards and out from the stem I4", A knob 38 is mounted on the outer end of the stem 31 by which the valve 3G may be reclosed when desired. Several springs 40 are mounted in thevlarge portion 2IEL of the passage 2| and engage the valve 33 for holding this valve closed. These springs 40 arealso adapted tohold the valve open once it is forced open. The stem I4 is provided with whistle passages 22 and 22'. In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous forms.

The operation of this form of the device is as follows:

When the inner tube I0 is inflated the compressible bulb I3 will be simultaneously iniiated so that the internal pressures of the tube I0 and bulb I3 are identical. When the inner tube I0 becomes partially deated the bulb I3 will retain its pressure until the bottom of. the bulb starts being compressed each time the warning valve reaches a position at the bottom of the wheel during the travel of the vehicle. Compression oi' the bulb I3 will increaseits internaipressure causing the valve 36 to move upwards and open and remain open because of the springs 4U. The compressed air in the bulb I3 may now escape through the passage ZI and out of the openings 22 and 22', sounding the whistle. This whistle signal will be very loud because it is being operated with compressed air.

.The valve 3E- may be manually closed by presslng the knob 3B inwards. Then the inner tube i8 and the bulb I3 is ready to be reinilated.

While I have illustrated and described the preierred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications comv ing within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim4 as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with an inner tube for a tire of a vehicle, a compressible bulb within said inner tube, a stem engaging through an opening in the inner wall of said inner tube and through an opening. in said bulb and having a head on its inner end disposed` within said bulb, a base clamp element on said stem and outside of said bulb and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said bulb and cooperative with said head for supporting said bulb, an outer clamp element on said stem and outside of said tube and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said inner tube and cooperative with said base clamp for supporting said stem onv said inner tube, said stem having a passage from its inner end to its extended end portion fashioned to whistle when said bulb is periodically compressed when said tire is partially iiat and said vehicle travels, and a spring interiorly of said compressible bulb for holding it expanded, said compressible bulb being provided with ribs reinforcing the walls thereof to be capable of with` standing; the air pressure within said inner tube. v

2. In combination with an inner tube for a tire of a vehicle, a compressible bulb within said 1nner tube, a stem engaging through an opening In Athe inner wall of said inner 'tube and through an opening in said bulb and -having a head on its inner end disposed within said bulb, a base clamp elementA on said stem and outside of said bulb and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said bulb and cooperative withl said head for supporting. said bulb, an outer clamp element on said stem and outside of said tube and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said inner tube and cooperative with said base clamp for supporting said stem on said inner tube, said stem having a passage from its inner end to its extended end portion fashioned to whistle when said bulb is periodically compressed when said tire ispartially fiat and said vehicle travels, and a sprin-g interiorly oi1 said compressible bulb for holding it expanded, said compressible bulb being provided with ribs reinforcing the walls thereof to be capable of withstanding the air pressure within said inner tube, and a spring within said compressible bulb for keeping the' bottom thereof resiliently expanded.

3. In combination with an inner tube for atire o f a vehicle, a compressible bulb within said inner tube, a stem engaging through an opening in the inner wall of said inner tube and through an opening in said bulb and having a head on its inner end disposed within said bulb, a. base clamp element on said stem and outside of said bulb and engaging over the edge portionsof the opening in said bulb and cooperative with said head for supporting said bulb, an outer clamp element on said stemand outside of said tube andv engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said inner tube and cooperative with said base clamp for supporting said stem on said inner tube, said stern having apassage from its inner end to its extended end portion fashioned to whistle when said bulb is periodically compressed when said tire is partially nat and said vehicle travels, said stem having an air inlet passage controlled with a tire valve, said air passage connecting with additionalpassages through the wall of said stem, which in turn connect with passages through said base clamp to the interior-of said inner tube.

4. In combination with an inner tube for a tire of a vehicle, a compressible bulb within said in- VAner tube, a stem engaging through an opening in the inner Wall of said inner tube and through an opening in said bulb and having a head on its inner end disposed within said bulb, a base clamp element on said stem and outside of said bulb and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said bulb and cooperative with said head for supporting said bulb, an outer clamp element on said stem and outside of said tube and engaging over the edge portions of the opening in said inner tube and cooperative with said base clamp for supporting said stem on said inner tube, said stem having a passage from its inner end to its extended end portion fashioned to whistle when said bulb is periodically compressed when said tire is partially fiat and said vehicle travels,v said stem having an air inlet passage controlled with a tire valve, said air passage connecting with additional passages through the wall of said stem, which in turn connect with passages through said base clamp to the interior of said inner tube, and another passage from said air inlet passage to. the interior of said compressible bulb controlled with a check valve, and a spring loaded valve controlling discharge through said passage which is fashioned to Whistle. l, f

MARTIN GLOWKA 

